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Pancreatic AdenocarcinomaPhase 1DECISTNCT04157127

Th-1 Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy Plus Standard Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

A Phase 1 study testing Autologous DC Therapy in people with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma and Pancreatic Cancer, run by Diakonos Oncology Corporation at 3 sites in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This is a phase 1, first in human, dose escalation study for safety and feasibility of multi-dose dendritic cell (DC) therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) including adenosquamous carcinoma administered after surgical resection of PDAC. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Autologous DC Therapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
18 participants
Where
3 sitesUnited States
Study dates
3 Aug 2020to Dec 2027
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • An individual must meet all of the following criteria:
  • Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
  • Male or female, aged 18 years and older
  • Cytological or pathological confirmation of adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas is deemed to be potentially resectable or borderline resectable based on tumor and host factors. This may include patients who undergo upfront resection or those who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy +/- radiation prior to resection.
  • Adequate kidney, liver, bone marrow function, and immune function, as follows, within 28 days prior to registration:
  • Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 gm/dL
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  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500 cells/mm3
  • Platelet count ≥ 75,000 /mm3
  • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN),
  • Aspartate transaminase AST (SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 times the ULN
  • ECOG performance status ≤ 2.
  • For women of childbearing potential (WOCBP): use of highly effective contraception must be discussed with participants. NOTE: Patient must agree to start contraception at least 30 days before first vaccination and continue for at least 12 weeks after her last vaccination.
  • WOCBP must have a negative serum pregnancy prior to vaccination
  • For males of reproductive potential: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner during study participation and for an additional 12 weeks following discontinuations of last vaccination.
  • Patient must agree to not donate blood for up to 90 days after last vaccination.

Who cannot join

  • An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
  • Unresectable or metastatic (stage IV) pancreatic cancer.
  • Patients with known HIV and a positive viral load.
  • Patients with active HBV and HCV infection. Those who are Hepatitis B sAb positive as well as those who are Hepatitis C Ab positive, but Hepatitis C RNA viral load negative will not be excluded.
  • Patients with any active autoimmune disease or immune deficiency or previous Guillain-Barre syndrome. Patients with eczema, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, or vitiligo with dermatologic manifestations only (e.g. patient with psoriatic arthritis are excluded) are eligible provided all of the following conditions are met:
  • Rash that covers less than 10 % of body surface area.
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  • Disease is well controlled at baseline and requires only low-potency topical corticosteroids.
  • No occurrence of acute exacerbations of the underlying condition requiring psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation, methotrexate, retinoids, biologic agents, oral calcineurin inhibitors, or high-potency or oral corticosteroids within the previous 12 months.
  • Use of nonstandard neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen, as determined by the Investigator.
  • Female patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or of childbearing potential without a negative pregnancy test within 28 days (or decline contraception requirements as outlined above). Post-menopausal women must be amenorrheic for at least 12 months to be considered of non-childbearing potential.
  • Patients unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol or provide informed consent.
  • Any severe or uncontrolled medical condition or other condition that could affect participation in this study (in the opinion of the investigator), including but not limited to hyper/hypothyroidism, active systemic autoimmune disorders, untreated viral hepatitis or autoimmune hepatitis.
  • Requires chronic treatment with a systemic steroid (⩾10 mg/day of prednisone equivalent) or with any systemic immunosuppressive agent.

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Benjamin Musher, MD contact

713-798-4292

blmusher@bcm.edu

United States3 sites, 3 recruiting
  • Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center - McNair Campus

    Houston, Texas, 77030

    Benjamin Musher, MD, 713-798-4292, blmusher@bcm.edu

    Recruiting
  • Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center

    Houston, Texas, 77030

    Benjamin Musher, 713-798-4292, blmusher@bcm.edu

    Recruiting
  • Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine

    Houston, Texas, 77030

    Clinical Trials Office - Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor, 713-798-1297

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Phase I Study of Th-1 Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy in Combination With Standard Chemotherapy for the Adjuvant Treatment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (DECIST)

This is a phase 1, first in human, dose escalation study for safety and feasibility of multi-dose dendritic cell (DC) therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) including adenosquamous carcinoma administered after surgical resection of PDAC.

Read the detailed description

The primary objective of this phase 1, first in human trial is to determine the safety, toxicity, and feasibility of delivering autologous DCs loaded with pancreatic adenocarcinoma lysate and mRNA to pancreatic cancer patients following surgery.

After having undergone surgical resection of their PDAC (with or without prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy), patients will undergo apheresis for the manufacture of the DC therapy. Once the DC therapy has been manufactured, it will be administered by image-guided injections proximal to a lymph node near the surgical bed with concurrent use of subcutaneous peg-IFN. Patients will have the option to receive additional doses of the DC therapy and peg-IFN if they are eligible and interested.

Being tested
Autologous DC Therapy
Keywords
Immunotherapy, Adjuvant therapy, Cell Therapy
Medical subject headings
Pancreatic Neoplasms

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Autologous DC TherapyBiological

    Autologous DC Therapy

Study groups in NCT04157127
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Autologous DC Therapy Group B Cohort 1ExperimentalThe DC therapy is manufactured from autologous dendritic cells loaded with tumor cell lysate and RNA. Patients will receive 2 doses of DC therapy (separated by 14 days) and be monitored (vital signs every 30 minutes) for 2 hours after each dose. During intervention, patients receive weekly peg-IFN at 180 mcg/week on the first day of administration up through 14 days after last dose. DC Therapy dose evaluated in Group B Cohort 1: First Cycle 1st dose - 8 million cells First Cycle 2nd dose - 8 million cells Second Cycle 1st dose - 8 million cells (optional) Second Cycle 2nd dose - 8 million cells (optional) Patients in Group B cohort 1 will receive the DC therapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery (1st cycle), with an option for additional DC therapy (2nd cycle) after adjuvant chemotherapy.
Receives: Biological: Autologous DC Therapy
Autologous DC Therapy Group B Cohort 2ExperimentalThe DC therapy is manufactured from autologous dendritic cells loaded with tumor cell lysate and RNA. Patients will receive 2 doses of DC therapy (separated by 14 days) and be monitored (vital signs every 30 minutes) for 2 hours after each dose. During intervention, patients receive weekly peg-IFN at 180 mcg/week on the first day of administration up through 14 days after last dose. DC Therapy dose evaluated in Group B Cohort 2: First Cycle 1st dose - 12 million cells First Cycle 2nd dose - 12 million cells Second Cycle 1st dose - 12 million cells (optional) Second Cycle 2nd dose - 12 million cells (optional) Patients in Group B cohort 2 will receive the DC therapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery (1st cycle), with an option for additional DC therapy (2nd cycle) after adjuvant chemotherapy.
Receives: Biological: Autologous DC Therapy
Autologous DC Therapy Group AExperimentalENROLLMENT IN THIS ARM HAS BEEN COMPLETED The DC therapy is manufactured from autologous dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumor cell lysate and mRNA. Patients will receive 3 doses of DC therapy (one every 14 days) and be monitored (vital signs every 30 minutes) for 2 hours after each dose. During intervention, patients receive weekly peg-IFN at 180 mcg/week on the first day of administration up through 14 days after last dose. DC Therapy dose evaluated in Group A: 1. st dose - 0.5 million cells 2. nd dose - 1 million cells 3. rd dose - 2 million cells Patients in Group A will receive the DC therapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.
Receives: Biological: Autologous DC Therapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Safety of DC Therapy

    To determine the safety (measured by the frequency/duration of adverse events as defined by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5.0) and feasibility of delivering autologous dendritic cells loaded with pancreatic adenocarcinoma lysate and mRNA after surgical resection (evaluated by the ease of administering the study drug product proximal to a lymph node near the surgical bed).

    Measured: From treatment start until 6 weeks after.

  2. Number of participants who experienced Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLTs)

    A DLT is defined as any non-hematologic toxicity of grade 3 or 4 by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0) that was probably or definitely DC-therapy related. Certain grade 4 hematologic toxicities that are probably or definitely DC-therapy related are also considered DLTs. Grade 2 or 3 myelosuppression that does not resolve or recover (with supportive measures) to grade 1 within 2 weeks that is probably or definitely DC-vaccine related is also considered a DLT. Grade 2 non-hematologic toxicities that do not resolve or recover (with supportive measures) to grade 1 within 2 weeks that are probably or definitely DC-therapy related are also considered DLTs. Any toxicity, regardless of grade, where systemic steroids are used as supportive care for management that is probably or definitely DC-therapy related is also considered a DLT.

    Measured: From treatment start until 6 weeks after.

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Recurrence-Free Survival

    Measurement of time from resection surgery to recurrence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

    Measured: From surgery until recurrence or up to 3 years after surgery, whichever comes first.

  2. Overall Survival

    Measurement of time from resection surgery to death.

    Measured: From surgery until death or up to 3 years after surgery, whichever comes first.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 Nov 2019
  2. Study start3 Aug 2020
  3. Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Model description
This is a single-arm, open-label study where all subjects will receive the DC therapy. The number of cells administered will vary based on the group/cohort determination. Group A receives intervention after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Group B contains 2 cohorts (low and high dose) with intervention (1st cycle) after surgery, but before adjuvant chemotherapy with the option for intervention after adjuvant chemotherapy (2nd cycle).
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
18 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04157127
Sponsor's protocol ID
H-42434
Acronym
DECIST
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
6 Nov 2019
Last updated
26 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: There is no plan to make IPD available to other researchers.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing Autologous DC Therapy in people with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma and Pancreatic Cancer, run by Diakonos Oncology Corporation at 3 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 15 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Benjamin Musher, MD (713-798-4292, blmusher@bcm.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Safety of DC Therapy (time frame: From treatment start until 6 weeks after.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Aug 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.

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